Study on External Genital Anomalies in Newborn Babies

Abstract

Objective: External genital anomalies are common congenital anomalies, especially in male newborns. It seems that the incidence of these anomalies is increasing. Although the etiology of these anomalies are obscure in most cases, but genetic and environmental factors have important roles. This study was aimed to determine the types and frequency of these anomalies in newborn babies and comparing the results with the study which conducted in the same hospital in 1991.

Methods: In a descriptive analytic and cross sectional study, all babies born from March 2005 to February 2006 in Tabriz Alzahra Hospital were recruited.

Findings: 6800 newborns consisting 3475 boys (51.1%) and 3325 girls (48.9%) were studied. No anomaly wasfound in girl newborns, but 6.6% of boys had external genital anomalies. Undescended testis and hypospadias were first and second common anomalies. The frequency of anomalies was higher in comparison with previous study and therefore in preterm and low birth weight babies, babies of related parents and older mothers.

Conclusion: The frequency of external genital anomalies had an ascending trend in the last decade. Low birth weight, preterm delivery, high maternal age, and related parents are risk factors for these anomalies.